Position Overview
Position Summary
Summary
Women’s World Banking is seeking a highly-skilled and experienced consultant to lead the development and drafting of a Women’s Financial Inclusion Framework for Cambodia, taking into account Cambodia’s regulatory framework and financial ecosystem. The work requires a mix of in-person and online work throughout the contract period.
Together with regulators, ministries, and Women’s World Banking, the consultant will scope and develop a comprehensive and well-structured women’s financial inclusion framework with an intentional gender lens in mind. The women’s financial inclusion framework will identify roadblocks hindering women’s access to and usage of financial products and provide guidelines for stakeholders to accelerate women’s financial inclusion.
Background
The project will contribute to the implementation of Cambodia’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy (“NFIS”) 2019-2025, which aims to increase formal financial inclusion levels from 59% to 70% and reduce women’s financial exclusion by half, from 27% to 13%.
The mandate for gender mainstreaming in policymaking falls under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, whereas the duty to implement the NFIS is the responsibility of the National Bank of Cambodia, whose mandate is to develop regulations and policies for the banking sector.
The Ministry of Women’s Affairs, in partnership with relevant ministries/ institutions and other partners, developed the “Neary Rattanak V” Five Year Strategic Plan 2019-2023 for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in Cambodia. With recent Government elections in July 2023, this plan will need to be revised. Therefore, the women’s financial inclusion framework / initiative is timely and will contribute to the new strategies developed by the Cambodian Government, including the Neary Rattanak VI Five Year Strategic Plan 2024-2028 and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy beyond 2025.
Status
With the support of Women’s World Banking, the consultant will provide technical support and work together with MOWA and the NBC to develop a policy framework on improving women’s access to financial services. The framework will encapsulate the vision, mission, target, current situation, proposed intervention to address perceived barriers as well as roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.
The objectives of this framework are to develop a specific, actionable implementation plan, including but not limited to:
- Set a target for women’s financial inclusion in Cambodia
- Provide an implementation plan for the attainment of the set target for women’s financial inclusion
- Outline the specific roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, including the NBC, other regulators and government entities, and other public and private sector stakeholders, in improving women’s financial inclusion in Cambodia
Roles and Responsibilities
Phase 1: Discovery and analysis through research, stakeholder interviews and workshops, (approx. 10 days of work, doesn’t not include travel day where relevant)
- Conduct an in-depth analysis of the existing regulations on women’s financial inclusion and relevant topics; produce desktop research report detailing the analysis, key insights and work plan.
- Conduct multi-stakeholder consultative workshops to refine the framework, establish dialogue with key actors in financial inclusion, and ensure alignment with the country's needs and expectations
- For consultant based outside Cambodia, at least one travel to Cambodia will be required at this stage.
Phase 2: Framework drafting, editing and verification with stakeholders as necessary, (approx. 15 days of work, doesn’t not include travel day where relevant)
- Develop comprehensive and well-structured drafts, ensuring compliance with Cambodian legal and regulatory standards, and international best practices.
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders, government agencies, local experts, and Women’s World Banking staff to compile insight and input.
- Keep up-to-date with changes in Cambodian law, policy, and regulatory trends that may impact the project.
- For consultant based outside Cambodia, at least one travel to Cambodia will be required at this stage.
Phase 3: Stakeholder consultation and submission of final comprehensive framework, (approx. 10 days of work, doesn’t not include travel day where relevant)
- Finalize framework for advancing financial inclusion for women in Cambodia.
- Disseminate and present Framework recommendations in a one-day workshop to key stakeholders.
- For consultant based outside Cambodia, at least one travel to Cambodia will be required at this stage.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years professional experience in financial regulation, policy development, or related roles, with a track record of designing and implementing successful strategic regulatory projects with financial regulators and other relevant ministries.
- Knowledge of promoting gender equality, equity, and women’s empowerment in general.
- Knowledge of women’s financial inclusion in Southeast Asia.
- General business knowledge of banking and microfinance institutions in Southeast Asia and local financial market structure.
- Familiarity with or knowledge of Cambodia’s legal and regulatory framework and the ability to navigate Cambodia’s legal and regulatory landscape.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and skills to engage effectively with stakeholders.
- Excellent skills in drafting regulatory frameworks or other relevant policy documents. (Women’s World Banking will provide necessary legal regulatory counsel as required.)
How to Apply
Applications must be received no later than December 15, 2023.
Please include in your application:
- Cover letter, including the following elements:
- A brief statement of your capacity to complete this work, listing similar projects and completed/relevant professional experience;
- Expected daily rate
- Confirm availability to make 1-2 week trips to Cambodia 3-4 times during the contract period. Economy class airfare and serviced apartment/ hotel will be reimbursed in accordance with Women’s World Banking’s global policies.
- Resume/CV
- Please include in your submission a couple of paragraphs or 2-3 slides outlining your proposed strategy and approach to create the women’s financial inclusion framework, identifying core stages of work, timeline to fulfill the deliverable, and key objectives and outcomes.
Applicants may submit their question(s) in writing until November 30, 2023 to va@womensworldbanking.org. Please include in the e-mail subject line “Questions: Regulatory Affairs Consultant (Cambodia)”.
This RFQ does not guarantee or commit Women’s World Banking to proceeding with the above described work. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
Women’s World Banking is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
Women’s World Banking will be unable to contract with any individual who is US citizen or US resident without an LLC or LP or similar structure.
About Women's World Banking
We believe in being a force for the greater good, devoted to accelerating and growing the financial inclusion of women. With rapidly changing markets, influenced by technology and social behavioral expectations, we are embarking on a new chapter to transform the way we design and implement solutions.
For over 40 years, Women’s World Banking has partnered with financial institutions, showing them the benefit of investing in women as customers. We equip these institutions with in-depth research and data driven insights to develop financial products and educational programs. While our clients are financial service providers, our mission is to engage consumers – women who are marginalized by financial systems.
Women’s World Banking and WWB Asset Management is an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
